Boxing trainer guilty of murder in Vista shooting

San Diego  A former boxing trainer accused of opening fire last year at a Vista gym, killing one man and wounding two others, was convicted Wednesday of first-degree murder and other charges.

Mark Anthony Diaz, 50, also was found guilty of attempted murder, assault with a firearm and making a criminal threat in connection with the April 7, 2010 incident. He faces a possible prison sentence of more than 96 years to life.

Prosecutors contended in trial that boxer Ricardo Gutierrez, 21, broke from Diaz and began training with Gil. According to court records, the owner of Pacific Coast Boxing had petitioned for a restraining order in February requiring Diaz to stay away from the gym.

A witness described as a “cut man” testified in trial that Gil let him hear voice-mail messages in April 2010 in which a man’s voice can be heard threatening to shoot Gil. The witness said he recognized the voice as Diaz’s.

A few days later, a gunman fired into the gym, fatally wounding Gil and hitting trainer Peter Moreno in the shoulder. The shooter fired again at Gutierrez, hitting him in the leg.

The jury deliberated about two days before reaching verdicts.

Diaz lowered his head and cried in the courtroom Wednesday when the verdicts were read.